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Maverick Viñales ended his first KTM-branded winter taking a leap forward with a 16th position in the morning and 6th in the afternoon. Results that can only bring with it motivation and optimism. Even if the Tech3 rider knows that he still has a lot of work to do, he finished the Buriram test with the feeling that he's starting the season on the right foot.
"As I've often repeated, my goal now is to learn about the bike. Today we actually took a big step forward," the Spanish rider said. "My pace improved a lot and, even on worn tires, I was really competitive, especially in direct comparison with the other KTMs. On the flying lap, using a different tire, I can't say I still have the RC16 in hand, so I just have to push, analyze, and internalize everything I learned."
What compound did you use to mark your time?
"Soft-soft. I adopted the same combination for the sprint race simulation I did in the middle of the day and, I must say, it went pretty well."
What allowed you to progress?
"Analyzing the data yesterday, identifying what I need to go faste,r and what the bike needs to be competitive. In my opinion, its strong point is braking, even if, at the moment, I'm still not able to get the most out of this area. Even in the time attack, when I brake, I'm always missing something. Until I find the solution, I can't give it my all. But I'm convinced that I'll slowly understand what it takes to close the gap and take advantage of the strengths of this bike."
The forecast says that in, 10 days, it's going to be almost 40 degrees Celsius in Thailand.
"Should that be the case, we'll have to race at night," he said jokingly."
What would you say in taking stock of these days?
"The KTM is totally new to me, and I have to get to know it. Today, I was able to improve in entering corners. I think it's the strong point of this bike, but I'm still not able to bring out the best. I also noticed a good response in exiting because it has so much grip. So, overall, I felt comfortable riding it but, to take it a step further, I'll have to understand it more. If, on distance, we're in good shape, on the single lap, I'm lacking in several places, although I'm closer to the best than in Sepang."
Today, you talked a lot with Aki Ajo and Mika Kallio.
"Yes, it's important that they explain the secrets of the bike to me so that I can integrate them into my riding style. It's not a matter of trust or believing in it. It takes time because, basically, the bike is fast. Of course, I'd like to know it in its entirety already, but I would've needed three more days of testing. The shakedown would have helped us, but it wasn't possible."
